A beginner's guide to growing strawberries - Gatehouse Media
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6/16/11
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Low-cost summer solutions Does the house you are trying to sell still look like it's in hibernation? Get rid of the heavy fabrics and bring in a soft, summery feel. Replace heavy curtain panels with lightweight sheers. Put away the heavy comforter and replace it with a lighter bedspread. Swap out dark accent pillows for soft-colored pillows. These are all low-cost solutions that make your home more welcoming. — EnergizedSeller.com
DID YOU KNOW? The Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development department will give $5.4 million for housing for 676 homeless vets. — HUD.gov
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SWEET SPROUT A beginner’s guide to growing strawberries STOCK.XCHNG
GARDEN GUIDE
What to grow in shady locations While vegetables and herbs do best in full sun (at least six to eight hours of midday sunshine), some plants will produce a passable crop in light shade. Leaves may be broader and thinner, stems may be taller and skinnier, but a small homegrown harvest is achievable. Best are leafy vegetables like leaf lettuce, spinach, endive, arugula and other greens. You can also try smaller fruit crops like coolweather peas or hot-weather green beans. Skip the sunloving tomatoes, melons, squash and peppers, though, or you will be disappointed. Beets, potatoes, parsnips, turnips and radishes are root crops worth a try, but skip the carrots. — University of Illinois Extension
BY JORDAN LAIO GATEHOUSE NEWS SERVICE
Soil and sun
ike other berries, most strawberries are perennials, which means their roots stay from year to year and expand with each passing year, though any particular plant will begin to decline after about two or three years. On the other hand, some types will not even produce fruit in the first year. So keep this in mind when choosing which strawberries to plant.
Strawberries need full sun and prefer a sandy loam soil with ample organic matter and a pH of 6.0-6.5, but they can really grow in many types of soil as long as there is good drainage. You should prepare your soil by adding ample compost, well-composted manure or garden soil to the area you plan to use. If using pots, fill with fresh potting soil. Soil should also be kept free of weeds.
When to plant strawberries
Potted strawberry plant
Spring is the perfect time to plant strawberries, but it’s not the only time. Depending on what type of strawberries you plant, they may produce their first summer or they may need an over-wintering period until they start producing in their second summer. If you want fruit in your first season, make sure you buy “dayneutral” or “everbearer” types of strawberries, which can produce in their first summer, though it can take up to 12 weeks from the date of planting for fruit to form. Also, you can buy mature potted plants that are ready to fruit. Junebearing-type plants will produce in their second summer. While they don't provide instant gratification, Junebearers are reputed to produce the most flavorful strawberries, so the wait may be worth it.
If you're buying a mature strawberry plant in a pot, it's probably ready to produce strawberries and all it needs is watering and a place in the sun. This is the most convenient and practical way to grow strawberries.
L
When and how to water strawberries Water strawberry plants regularly and even more often in hot, dry weather. Water at the base of the plants, and don’t water on their leaves or fruits. Also, don't let water splash on the leaves or fruit, as this can encourage disease. Try to water in the morning so the surface water can evaporate by evening. How to water strawberries without splashing the leaves and fruit: Use drip lines, di-
rect-point watering (put hose on low pressure and water at base of plants) or use drip tape. If you don't have time or patience to do those things, mulch (e.g., straw, thus the name “strawberries”). Then you can water however you want and the soil won't splash.
Strawberries in the garden When planting in the garden, space plants about 18-24 inches apart in single rows. Dig holes deep enough so the crown, or base, of each plant will be at surface level and not below it, which encourages disease. Fill the soil around the roots and press firmly, being careful not to leave any roots exposed. Water in the transplants.
Strawberry variety For basics, there are three categories of strawberries: the Junebearer, the everbearer and the “dayneutral” type. Dayneutrals and everbearers can be grown as annuals. They prefer long summer days and will produce fruit the first summer they are planted, while Junebearers will only start producing the second summer after planting. They generally hibernate during the winter and, thus, are good for cold regions. Jordan Laio is a writer for HomeTalk.com, a networking site for those with home-improvement projects.
6/16/11
1:30 PM
Page 1
HOME-SELLING TIP
Home
Low-cost summer solutions Does the house you are trying to sell still look like it's in hibernation? Get rid of the heavy fabrics and bring in a soft, summery feel. Replace heavy curtain panels with lightweight sheers. Put away the heavy comforter and replace it with a lighter bedspread. Swap out dark accent pillows for soft-colored pillows. These are all low-cost solutions that make your home more welcoming. — EnergizedSeller.com
DID YOU KNOW? The Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development department will give $5.4 million for housing for 676 homeless vets. — HUD.gov
HOME HELP
STOCK.XCHNG PHOTO
SWEET SPROUT A beginner’s guide to growing strawberries STOCK.XCHNG
GARDEN GUIDE
What to grow in shady locations While vegetables and herbs do best in full sun (at least six to eight hours of midday sunshine), some plants will produce a passable crop in light shade. Leaves may be broader and thinner, stems may be taller and skinnier, but a small homegrown harvest is achievable. Best are leafy vegetables like leaf lettuce, spinach, endive, arugula and other greens. You can also try smaller fruit crops like coolweather peas or hot-weather green beans. Skip the sunloving tomatoes, melons, squash and peppers, though, or you will be disappointed. Beets, potatoes, parsnips, turnips and radishes are root crops worth a try, but skip the carrots. — University of Illinois Extension
BY JORDAN LAIO GATEHOUSE NEWS SERVICE
Soil and sun
ike other berries, most strawberries are perennials, which means their roots stay from year to year and expand with each passing year, though any particular plant will begin to decline after about two or three years. On the other hand, some types will not even produce fruit in the first year. So keep this in mind when choosing which strawberries to plant.
Strawberries need full sun and prefer a sandy loam soil with ample organic matter and a pH of 6.0-6.5, but they can really grow in many types of soil as long as there is good drainage. You should prepare your soil by adding ample compost, well-composted manure or garden soil to the area you plan to use. If using pots, fill with fresh potting soil. Soil should also be kept free of weeds.
When to plant strawberries
Potted strawberry plant
Spring is the perfect time to plant strawberries, but it’s not the only time. Depending on what type of strawberries you plant, they may produce their first summer or they may need an over-wintering period until they start producing in their second summer. If you want fruit in your first season, make sure you buy “dayneutral” or “everbearer” types of strawberries, which can produce in their first summer, though it can take up to 12 weeks from the date of planting for fruit to form. Also, you can buy mature potted plants that are ready to fruit. Junebearing-type plants will produce in their second summer. While they don't provide instant gratification, Junebearers are reputed to produce the most flavorful strawberries, so the wait may be worth it.
If you're buying a mature strawberry plant in a pot, it's probably ready to produce strawberries and all it needs is watering and a place in the sun. This is the most convenient and practical way to grow strawberries.
L
When and how to water strawberries Water strawberry plants regularly and even more often in hot, dry weather. Water at the base of the plants, and don’t water on their leaves or fruits. Also, don't let water splash on the leaves or fruit, as this can encourage disease. Try to water in the morning so the surface water can evaporate by evening. How to water strawberries without splashing the leaves and fruit: Use drip lines, di-
rect-point watering (put hose on low pressure and water at base of plants) or use drip tape. If you don't have time or patience to do those things, mulch (e.g., straw, thus the name “strawberries”). Then you can water however you want and the soil won't splash.
Strawberries in the garden When planting in the garden, space plants about 18-24 inches apart in single rows. Dig holes deep enough so the crown, or base, of each plant will be at surface level and not below it, which encourages disease. Fill the soil around the roots and press firmly, being careful not to leave any roots exposed. Water in the transplants.
Strawberry variety For basics, there are three categories of strawberries: the Junebearer, the everbearer and the “dayneutral” type. Dayneutrals and everbearers can be grown as annuals. They prefer long summer days and will produce fruit the first summer they are planted, while Junebearers will only start producing the second summer after planting. They generally hibernate during the winter and, thus, are good for cold regions. Jordan Laio is a writer for HomeTalk.com, a networking site for those with home-improvement projects.
